The Dishing Diva

Angelina Jolie plans to cross the Sahara on camel with her kids and Brad Pitt. The Hollywood star said she has her eye on North Africa for the next family holiday. “[We want to] cross the Sahara. It takes 28 days. It would have to be on a camel. I wonder if I could do it in pieces and station the kids along the way,” she said. Jolie, 36, who has six kids with partner Pitt, including three adopted from overseas, said she encourages them to visit their homelands. She said in a newspaper interview: “They are all learning about each other’s cultures as well as being proud of their own. So it’s not like just the boys get to do the Asian thing. “They all have their flags over their beds and their individual pride. “We owe Vietnam a visit, because Pax is due. Z [Zahara] wants to get back to Africa, and Shiloh too. So everyone takes their turns in their country.” Eldest son Maddox, almost 10, was adopted in 2002 from Cambodia, while Zahara, six, was born in Ethiopia. Shiloh, five, the couple’s first biological child, was born in Namibia. And Pax, adopted four years ago, was born in Vietnam. Then the actress gave birth in France to twins Knox and Vivienne three years ago.

Source: Splash News

Here is a picture of Vanessa Hudgen’s signed hard hat. She is just one of the many celebrities lending her support to the Hollywood branch of Habitat for Humanity.

She along with other celebs has signed a white hardhat that will go up for auction. The proceeds from sales will go to support Habitat’s mission of providing safe and decent housing which will benefit families served by Habitat for Humanity.

On Vanessa’s hardhat is her sweet message, saying: “Thanks for all your hard work. All my Love, XOXO.”

Other celebrities with hardhats up for auction are: The Jonas Brothers, Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.

Check the others at clothes off our back. Here is the link:

http://www.clothesoffourback.org/categories.php?cPath=1_167

Since the photo of Rihanna’s injuries she received after the alleged beat down she got from Chris Brown circulated online and television, he’s been receiving threats. A source told Life & Style:

“Chris is scared. Not only did he probably lose his career and his girlfriend, but he’s also fearing for his security and his life. Chris is a marked man. He faces criminal charges and possible jail time, but he’s going to have to deal with Rihanna’s legion of fans and her close-knit friends in the industry. That photo was the last straw. The threats started pouring in the moment that appeared online.”

I remember seeing a video of JayZ laying the pimp hand down on some chica on Youtube and there wasn’t too much fuss about it, as all the radio stations still played his music.

Then there is R Kelly’s sex tape with a minor… when that came out Jay Z still went on tour with him and everyone still played his music on the radio as well.

The public is fickle at times. They’ll let some people slide, while others don’t get cut the same slack. Wonder why?

I just posted an article on Nick Carter yesterday that was written by People Magazine before Thanksgiving about how booze and drugs nearly killed him and how now he’s living a sober life.

Today I am reading around and see this picture of him downing a shot at a party celebrating his birthday a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, alcoholism is an addiction making it extremely difficult to kick.

But… when your career requires constant exposure to it, and your friends/family don’t support a sober lifestyle by helping to find OTHER things to do on your birthday, the slips will happen. Going to a club is NOT a good idea for a recovering alcoholic.

Nick has admitted he has lapsed before, he probably will again. Unfortunately, AJ has lapsed too.

Check out the latest picture of BSB Nick Carter. Boy is looking fine.

Nick was diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition eight months ago. Here’s what he had to say about his new life style changes and it’s very obvious that good clean living agrees with him.

On the Hollywood scene party scene and all-night clubbing:

“I would get tired because we were partying so much, so I would do a bump [of cocaine] just to wake myself up. I would be that person who would stay at these clubs till the lights come on and they’re playing, ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.’ People are looking at me going, ‘Is that Nick Carter?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s me gacked up.’”

On being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy (a buildup of toxins in his heart, weakening the muscle so that had difficulty pumping blood):

“My doctor said, ‘You need to change your lifestyle. I don’t want you to end up like that.’ I was like, ‘I don’t want to end up like that either.’”

On getting his life back on track:

“I’m trying to make myself better. But I don’t regret anything that I’ve gone through, because it makes me who I am.”

On his new sweetie, a sales clerk he’s been dating for the past few months: “I don’t believe in marriage [but I see myself starting a family] someday, a little ways down the line.”

On his two-story, colonial-style home just outside Nashville:

“I had to get away from the temptations [in L.A.].”

Here he is showing his abs back last year in concert, he seems way more buff now.

A mixed blessing happened today. Michael Lohan is giving up his blog which is a very good thing for Lindsay and the rest of their family as it will hopefully put an end to all of the scandalous private family gossip that he was subjecting the world to.

Wonder if Lindsay’s legal team served him with some papers that finally convinced him to stop his public criticisim of her?

Daddy Lohan posted this statement on his blog:

“Well here you have it. My final blog. And for those of you who are doubters or knockers, let me say that I never took a penny for my blog or anything I ever did for any of my children. I did what I did, out of love and concern, regardless of any of your opinions. I did it to help them, advance their careers and give them hope. I taught them [His kids] that anything is possible if you really want it enough, and that when your heart is in the right place, God will make it all happen!

And although I have full confidence in Jonathan Jaxson (Who is the mastermind behind some of the best stories/blogs out there.), I have to say that when it comes to my innocent children, who are at risk and have nothing to do with the situation at hand, I have to respect their request. (ie “I was issued a cease and desist.”)

Before I go, however, I must say that I received a text message from a very close and dear friend of Lindsay’s who I trust and admire. The text said, “between you and me you are doing the right thing. From what I hear, from Lindsay’s nearest and dearest friends, Lindsay is worse off than ever since she she has been with Sam. I told Dina that Lindsay needs you back in her life, and I think you know that I was the one who really helped Linds get into rehab.”

Without divulging this person’s identity, let me say that I know this person and I trust him/her very much. As a matter of fact, I spent time with him/her and wish that he/she was still part of Lindsay’s life.

For the record, when it comes to sexual preference, I am not biased. What matters most is the substance of an individual rather than their preference.It is the love and intent behind the relationship that matters. Something I can not give much credence to when it comes to Samantha. Just look at Samantha’s tax returns before she “engaged” Lindsay, and then after! Look at Lindsay’s career before Samantha and after! Look at all the things Lindsay accomplished and had going for her before Samantha and after. And finally, consider how Lindsay spent every holiday with her family before she met Samantha and then after. Would Lindsay ever leave her little sister in LA with Jenni, and leave with Samantha like she recently did when she went to Boston?! NEVER!

I was with Lindsay when she got out of Cirque Lodge. I saw and experienced the “old Lindsay” with so much hope and promise. I had full confidence in her. Then back came Samantha! Can’t you all see this? Am I speaking to stone walls? (No Michael, you’re speaking to padded walls) All I ask that you put your selves in my shoes and HONESTLY consider what you would do.

As I said, this is my final blog, and I hope what I have said and expressed to you and Lindsay, have a positive effect on your lives.

God Bless you ALL, be well and thank you for your input. Good, bad, positive, or negative, I have learned a lot from all of you.

Be Blessed!!!!”

This past August, Dr. Dre’s 20-year old son, Andre Young Jr., died from unknown causes. Today it was announced that the exact cause of death was revealed by an LA County Coroner representative:

“This case has been closed, it’s been ruled an accident due to morphine and heroin intoxication.”

Dr. Dre hustled drugs as a teen, and his music encouraged people to blaze and now his son has lost his life due to drugs. Parents warned him about his lyrics and songs, and he must now understand the pain caused by those who have lost their children due to drugs. Perhaps now he and other rappers will not be so quick to encourage that lifestyle.

Today is World Aids Day:

“Founded in 1985, amfAR is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. With the freedom and flexibility to respond quickly to emerging areas of scientific promise, amfAR plays a catalytic role in accelerating the pace of HIV/AIDS research and achieving real breakthroughs. amfAR-funded research has increased our understanding of HIV and has helped lay the groundwork for major advances in the study and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $275 million in its mission and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.”

You can read more here:

http://www.amfar.org/

Here again is Nick Jonas kicking off National Diabetes Month by attending the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles this afternoon. I didn’t see any pictures of his brothers, wonder if they were there to support him. I realize they don’t have to do EVERYTHING together, but for a cause such as this, it would have been nice to see them all there.

Nick, who at 16 is the youngest of the brothers, has a partnership with Bayer Diabetes Care. People can log on to Nick’s Simple Wins where they can find out some information that he has shared about his very own personal experiences living with diabetes.

Tune in Sunday night @ 8 P.M. to the Disney Channel if you’d like to see Nick’s PSA on Juvenile Diabetes.

Nick Jonas took some time off from the set of his new Disney Channel series, JONAS, to tape a Public Service Announcement on Juvenile Diabetes that will air this Sunday, November 2nd after the episode of Jonas Brothers: Living The Dream airing on the Disney Channel. It will share how he (a young teen) manages his own battle with diabetes

EW.com has invested funds on an exclusive look at the new series premiering on the Disney Channel in May 2009. Kevin, who is the oldest brother had this to say about the episode they recently filmed:

”We’re trying to cook Mom a special birthday cake. We destroyed our family’s home videos, so we have to find ways to make up those memories.”